Antonia Forest fans

Yeah, you're right -- it's the "madly trad" aspect of the Merricks' worship she doesn't like -- but that's exactly what Patrick will never give up! (Hence, his willingness to be rusticated for doing "madly trad" things at his progressive guitar-playing Catholic school.) I agree, they could have long and productive discussions about religion and how no one else in the Marlow family can understand their feelings on the subject -- it's intriguing to think about. I just don't see it going to a romantic/matrimonial sort of place, since the issue of "what to raise the kids as" would loom, I think, large -- insurmountably so.